I leave with my head held high despite the sacking, says Ross
MANAGER DEPARTS AS THE CLUB LINES UP NEW MAN
JACK Ross says he leaves Sunderland with his ‘head held high’ despite his sacking this week.
The former Black Cats boss has issued a statement via the League Managers’ Association in which he reflected on his 18 months in charge on Wearside, the club’s two Wembley appearances – in the EFL Trophy final and in the play-off final – on his watch, and thanked the supporters, staff, and players at the club.
Ross also wished Sunderland luck, and said he hopes the fans are rewarded for their ‘passionate and loyal backing.’
Ross’ statement said: “It has been an honour to have the responsibility and privilege of managing Sunderland AFC for the past 18 months, and it is with regret that I leave my position there.
“I leave with my head held high in respect to the depth of commitment and hard work my staff and I applied to the job.
“I offer my sincerest gratitude to all my staff, those who I brought with me to the club, and those who were already in place.
“Every single one of them has provided me with huge support and are not only good at their jobs, but more importantly are fantastic people.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to all the players I worked with and who bought into my ideas and workings, and I will miss the relationships I built with them.
“To the supporters of the club I offer my thanks for their welcome 18 months ago and their support since.
“I hope that the future brings a deserved reward for their passionate and loyal backing.
“Finally, I reflect upon two Wembley finals, one league defeat at the Stadium of Light, victories over Premier League opposition [in the Carabao Cup] and an overall progressive record and take satisfaction from them.
“Furthermore, I believe that we rebuilt a spirit within the Academy of Light under the most challenging circumstances at times.
“Thank you to Sunderland AFC and good luck.”
Meanwhile Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has confirmed he is interested in taking over as Sunderland’s next manager.
Phillips is keen to take his first steps into management with the Black Cats, with whom he spent six goal-laden seasons as a player.
When asked whether he would be interested in taking the Stadium of Light hotseat, Phillips said: “Yeah, of course I would.
“I am not going to sit here and lie to you and I think every time I have met you and every time I have been asked the question when the job has came up, I have said of course I would be interested. I would be daft not to be.
“There are pluses and minuses of taking a job when you have done so well at a club.
“Ultimately, though, I have always said I would love to have a crack at management and I would love to go back to the club.
“So if it is to happen at this point it will be great.
“If it doesn’t then maybe somewhere down the line it might happen.”
Phillips continued: “The job is huge for someone. If you get that place going then it is an amazing place to play football but, ultimately, somebody has to go in there and find a way to win football matches and just get out of League One.
“They are still getting 28-30,000 people in League One and we all know in the Premier League they attract 47-48,000.
“The training facilities are second to none, they fill every ground they go to but that doesn’t give you a divine right to be in the Premier League.
“They have to get things right off the pitch which clearly hasn’t been done over the last five, six or seven years.
“It is imperative they are promoted this year because the longer you stay in this league the more tough it becomes to get out of.”
Jack Ross was sacked as Black Cats boss on Tuesday and Stewart Donald is not short of options to replace him.
Sunderland have asked five clubs for permission to speak to their managers. One of them is thought to Wycombe Wanderers’ boss Gareth Ainsworth.
Managers like Wigan’s Paul Cook and Burton’ s Nigel Clough have been mentioned as potential candidates.
It is understood the club have also already spoken to ex-Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel about the
role.